Lot 1625
1859 Pattern Half Dollar. Silver, Reeded Edge. Judd-235. Pollock-282 Rarity 5. PCGS graded Proof 65. CAC Approved. Nice blue toning and a bold Gem Proof. Anthony C. Paquet's obverse design features a left-facing Liberty, seated, supporting a fasces with her right hand and a shield with her left. Thirteen small stars surround the periphery with the date, 1859, in exergue. Arrows and olive branches lie at the base of the shield. Reverse Also by Paquet. A slightly disproportionate eagle, with wings spread, holds three slender arrows in its left claw and an olive sprig with its right talon. The perfect scroll held in the eagle's beak reads E PLURIBUS UNUM with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA occupying the upper periphery and HALF DOLLAR the lower. The vertical lines in the shield are in groups of four each, as opposed to three lines as found on the similar "broken ribbon" version of this pattern. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. A sharply impressed and wonderfully preserved example. Pop 5; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 11960) .
Note: Anthony C. Paquet designed several Pattern pieces in the mid-nineteenth century, including a variation on the 1858 Gold Dollar. He was noted for his tall ornate lettering, which is easily spotted by those familiar with it. His most famous design, one which actually made it into limited production, was the 1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle with Paquet reverse. The Paquet-designed San Francisco mint version is available periodically.
Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000.
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